Developer slashes number of homes
The developer behind a controversial Taranaki seaside village subdivision has slashed his proposal by more than half in hopes of getting it over the line.
Mike McKie’s plans for development on the southern edge of Oakura have been divisive.
While he claims the Wairau Estate will be a boon for the township, a large number of residents don’t feel the same and fear the development will completely change the character of their village.
The new evidence, which will be discussed when the Resource Management Act hearing reconvenes today, details a reduced proposal, cutting the number of residential lots from 399 to 144, across 15.9 hectares.
‘‘Rather than resulting in widespread expansion, the reduced scheme (as with the original) now provides for, over time, a modest and logical expansion of the township,’’ planner Colin Comber noted in his report submitted last month.
Landscape and visual expert Richard Bain also noted: ‘‘In my view, the reduced proposal addresses the landscape and visual concerns of submitters and council.’’
Development is set to occur over five stages, with each stage comprising 24 to 33 lots.
However, opposition from residents remains, with several to speak at today’s hearing.
‘‘The KCB (Kaitake Community Board) does not agree that the reduced Plan Change responds appropriately to the concerns of submitters,’’ the board submitted.
Board member Graham Chard said he still had concerns, including the pressure the development would put on the local school, the extra traffic and where the rainwater would go when existing paddocks were covered with houses.
‘‘It appears to me that what they’re trying to do is to justify the development by picking holes in each element of the concerns that are raised, as opposed to looking long-term, dispassionately, at what the impact is on the wider community.’’
The New Plymouth District Council planning team has also written its response to the new evidence.
They concluded that ‘‘the reduced scale of the proposal would contribute to and increase the future housing supply in Oakura’’.
‘‘The form, nature and scale of the proposal is more in keeping with the outcomes in the Operative and Proposed District Plans.
‘‘However, based on the further evidence, there are still some matters which are unresolved and information is lacking, notably cultural impact assessment, traffic and landscape and visual impacts.’’
The five-day Resource Management Act hearing on the plan change, which is needed for the development to go ahead, was adjourned in July.
It will reconvene in the New Plymouth District Council chambers at 9am.
The applicant’s new evidence will be submitted from 9am, with submitters to follow from 12.30pm.
Ultimately, the Commissioner will make a recommendation to the mayor and councillors, who will make the final decision.